The
first flower of the season, Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus),
is blooming in the arboretum. The purplish structure with light flecks is
called the spathe. Within it is a fleshy central axis with many small flowers
which can be seen in the photo above. The leaves will emerge from the soil
later and if they are broken they produce an odor similar to that of a skunk.
This is the only species in our area (and one of very few anywhere) that
can actually generate significant heat -- sometimes melting the snow around
the flower. Skunk cabbages that grow near freshwater springs are the earliest
because the soil doesn't freeze there. If they are not near a spring the
plants may not flower for another month or more. Skunk cabbage flowers produce
an odor that is similar to rotting meat, which attracts insects that are
looking for carrion. The insects become unwitting pollinators of skunk cabbage
when they come to investigate the odor.